Elvis Costello – This Years Model

Released in March 1978, This Year’s Model is Elvis Costello’s second studio album and the first to feature his seminal backing band, the Attractions. Moving beyond the more restrained tones of his debut, the record embraces a tighter, more aggressive sound driven by drums, bass, and keyboards, with Nick Lowe’s production capturing the urgency of the era. Costello’s lyrics navigate relationships, social observation, and emotional disquiet with wit, sharpness, and a sometimes acidic edge. The album was written and recorded rapidly—costello and the Attractions cut essentially live in the studio over the course of about eleven days—resulting in a raw, immediate feel that matches the lyrical intensity. Its release marked a turning point for Costello, signalling his arrival as a voice of new wave with uncompromising character.

Standout tracks like “Pump It Up,” “This Year’s Girl,” and “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” balance propulsive energy with lyrical nuance, while deeper cuts such as “Little Triggers” and “Night Rally” reveal Costello’s more introspective and confrontational impulses. The Attractions’ interplay—Steve Nieve’s keyboards, Bruce Thomas’s bass, and Pete Thomas’s drums—give the album momentum and complexity throughout. Over time, This Year’s Model has been hailed as one of his finest works and a vital bridge between punk’s urgency and the melodic sophistication that would define much of his later output. It remains influential as a blueprint for how sharp songwriting and raw performance can coexist.

Reviews

"Of course, the songs on This Year's Model are typically catchy and help the vicious sentiments sink into your skin, but the most remarkable thing about the album is the sound -- Costello and the Attractions never rocked this hard, or this vengefully, ever again." – AllMusic

“While My Aim Is True was largely a guitar-centered album, the sonic core of This Year’s Model consists almost entirely of drums, bass, and keyboards.” – Pitchfork